ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update - Day 295
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 108 crore landmark milestone
More than 25 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 108 Crore landmark milestone  today. More than 25 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10379575
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9262847
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18372554
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
16026093
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|
Age Group 18-44 years
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|
1st Dose
|
|
423842905
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
150258878
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
176204821
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
98951143
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|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
110523053
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
68044846
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|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
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|
739322908
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|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
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342543807
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Total
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1081866715
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
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Date: 6th November, 2021 
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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43
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|
2nd Dose
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|
6224
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
147
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
13420
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
467879
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1287135
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
109881
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
396405
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|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
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|
64440
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|
2nd Dose
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|
209343
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1st Dose Administered in Total
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|
642390
|
|
2nd Dose Administered in Total
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|
1912527
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Total
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2554917
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 38.86 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 1.54 Cr balance and unutilized doses still available with States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
More than 38.86 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources and a further 63,84,230 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 37,31,88,834 doses .
More than 1.54 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered.
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of ‘7.32% Government Stock 2024’, Auction for Sale  of ‘7.26% Government Stock 2029’, Auction for Sale  of ‘6.57% Government Stock 2033’, and Auction for Sale of  of ‘7.06% Government Stock 2046’
Government of India has announced the Sale  of  ‘7.32 per cent Government Stock, 2024’ for a notified amount of ` 5,000 crore  through price based auction,  ‘7.26 per cent Government Stock, 2029’ for a notified amount of ` 8,000 crore  through price based auction,  ‘6.57 per cent Government Stock, 2033’ for a notified amount of ` 2,000 crore  through price based auction, and
 ‘7.06 per cent Government Stock, 2046’ for a notified amount of ` 3,000 crore  through price based auction. Subject to the limit of ` 18,000 crore, being total notified amount, GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to
` 1,000 crore each against any one or more of the above securities. The auctions will be conducted using multiple price method. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on March 22, 2019 .
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the stocks will be allotted to eligible individuals and Institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on March 22, 2019. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 11.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon and the competitive bids should be submitted between 11.30 a.m. and
12.30 p.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on March 22, 2019  and payment by successful bidders will be on March 25, 2019 .
The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Ministry of Home Affairs
12th Joint Working Group  on Border Management between India and Nepal held on 15-16 June in New Delhi
The 12th India-Nepal Joint Working Group , which discusses several issues related to Border Management and security matters, was held in New Delhi on 15-16 June. The Indian Delegation was led by Joint Secretary  in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Nepali side was led by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal, during the two-day talks.
The two sides reviewed the decisions taken in the last JWG held on February 10 -11, 2015 in Pokhara, Nepal. They also deliberated on issues related to trans-border criminal activities, strengthening of border infrastructure, empowerment and capacity building of various security related institutions, preventing/curbing terrorist and criminal activities amongst others. The Joint Working Group reviewed the Border District Coordination Committee  meetings held earlier and also the progress made on the signing of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, Extradition Treaty and other outstanding MoUs to be signed between the two sides.
The Nepalese delegation extended an invitation to the Indian delegation for the next JWG to be held in Nepal next year.
Ministry of Finance
IT Department to release all pending income tax refunds up to Rs 5 lakhs immediately ; Around 14 lakh taxpayers to benefit
All GST & CUSTOM refunds also to be released ; to provide benefit to around 1 lakh business entities including MSMEs
Rs 18,000 crore of total refund granted immediately
In the context of the COVID-19 situation and with a view to provide immediate relief to the business entities and individuals, it has been decided to issue all the pending income-tax refunds up to Rs. 5 lakh, immediately. This would benefit around 14 lakh taxpayers.
It has also been decided to issue all pending GST and Custom refunds which would provide benefit to around 1 lakh business entities, including MSME. Thus, the total refund granted will be approximately Rs. 18,000 crore.
Prime Minister's Office
Today's Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package is a continuation of the Government's effort to help all sections of the society: PM
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said that today's Aatmnirbhar Bharat package is a continuation of the government's effort to help all sections of the society.
In a tweet Shri Narendra Modi said " Today’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package continues our efforts to help all sections of society. These initiatives will help in creating jobs, alleviate stressed sectors, ensure liquidity, boost manufacturing, energise real-estate sector & support farmers. "
Ministry of Defence
DRDO develops kiosk for COVID-19 sample collection
Defence Research & Development Laboratory , Hyderabad has added another product to the portfolio of Defence Research and Development Organisation  to combat Coronavirus  by developing COVID Sample Collection Kiosk .
The unit has been developed by DRDL in consultation with the doctors of Employees' State Insurance Corporation , Hyderabad. The COVSACK is a kiosk for use by healthcare workers for taking COVID-19 samples from suspected infected patients. Patient under test walks into the Kiosk and a nasal or oral swab is taken by health care professional from outside through the built in gloves.
The Kiosk is automatically disinfected without the need for human involvement, making the process free of infection spread. The shielding screen of kiosk cabin protects the health care worker from the aerosols/droplet transmission while taking the sample.This reduces the requirements of PPE change by health care workers.
After the patient leaves the Kiosk, four nozzle sprayers mounted in the kiosk cabin disinfect the empty chamber by spraying disinfectant mist for a period of 70 seconds. It is further flushed with water & UV light disinfection. The system is ready for next use in less than two minutes. Voice command can be given through two-way communication system integrated with the COVSACK. It is possible to configure COVSACK to be used either from inside or outside as required by the medical professionals.
The COVSACK costs nearly Rsone lakh and the identified industry based at Belgaum, Karnataka can support 10 units per day. The DRDO has designed and developed two units and handed over these to ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad after successful testing.
ABB/SS/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy
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Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates pugilist Preeti Pawar for winning bronze in Women's 54 kg at Asian Games
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today congratulated boxer Preeti Pawar for winning a bronze medal in the Women's 54 kg for India at the Asian Games.
He said he was proud of the 19-year-old's performance, which is a testament to her consistency, dedication, and never-say-die attitude.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
"A talented Pugilist whose hard work has earned a Bronze Medal in the Women's 54 kg for India at the Asian Games.
Proud of Preeti Pawar for her fantastic performance, a testament to her consistency, dedication, and never-say-die attitude."
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Development of the Himalayan States like Uttarakhand has been top priority of the government in 8 years: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
After interacting with the beneficiaries of various government schemes in Raiwala, the Union Minister of State  Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State  Ministry of Earth Science; MoS of Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh chaired the ’DISHA’  meeting at Dehradun.
Members of Parliament Ramesh Pokhriyal and Naresh Bansal also attended the meeting.
The Union Minister said that the aim of the Union Government is to achieve 100% saturation of government schemes in a true sense. He added that it means that district magistrates use their discretionary powers to ensure that no bonafide eligible beneficiary remains outside the cover of the scheme.
Considering the frequent man-animal conflict in Uttarakhand, the Union Minister suggested to the district officials, a collaboration with the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research to find ways to reduce animals venturing into habitated areas.
Deliberating the implementation of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana’, the Union Minister said that all banks should follow similar criteria while deciding on the eligibility of the applicant. While reviewing the construction under Gram Sadak Yojana, the Minister advocated taking into account the recent urbanisation of ‘rural’ areas and said that this means that higher standards of road construction should be adhered to. While discussing the hilly and often inaccessible nature of farming in Uttarakhand, the Union Minister recommended the greater use of drone technology in agriculture in collecting data, applying insecticide or conducting surveys.
Dr.Jitendra Singh outlined the need for such outreach meetings by stating that this provides a useful tool to flag issues that our varied geography engenders. Dr Singh said that it is a priority for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that hilly and newly founded states like Uttarakhand are brought on the path of rapid development.
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Ministry of Finance
Direct Tax Collections for F.Y. 2018-19 up to September, 2018  show that gross collections are at Rs. 5.47 lakh crore which is 16.7% higher than the gross collections for the corresponding period of last year
The provisional figures of Direct Tax collections up to September, 2018  show that gross collections are at Rs. 5.47 lakh crore which is 16.7% higher than the gross collections for the corresponding period of last year. It is pertinent to mention that gross collections of the corresponding period of F.Y. 2017-18 also included extraordinary collections under the Income Declaration Scheme, 2016 amounting to Rs. 10,254 crore , which does not form part of the current year’s collection.
Refunds amounting to Rs.1.03 lakh crore have been issued during April, 2018 to September, 2018, which is 30.4% higher than refunds issued during the same period in the preceding year. Net collections  have increased by 14% to Rs. 4.44 lakh crore during April, 2018 to September, 2018. The net Direct Tax collections represent 38.6% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for F.Y. 2018-19 .
So far as the growth rate for Corporate Income Tax  and Personal Income Tax  is concerned, the growth rate of gross collections for CIT is 19.5% while that for PIT  is 19.1%. After adjustment of refunds, the net growth in CIT collections is 18.7% and that in PIT collections is 14.9%.
An amount of Rs.2.10 lakh crore has been collected as Advance Tax, which is 18.7% higher than the Advance Tax collections during the corresponding period of last year. The growth rate of Corporate Advance Tax is 16.4% and that of PIT Advance Tax is 30.3%.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri visits forward areas of 3 Corps in Arunachal Pradesh; Takes stock of country’s defence preparedness along LAC
Armed Forces equipped & ready to protect the country from all threats: Shri Rajnath Singh
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited the forward areas of 3 Corps in Anini, a village in Dibang valley of Arunachal Pradesh on September 29, 2022. He made an on-the-ground assessment of the country’s defence preparedness along the LAC by taking stock of the entire gamut of security-related aspects. Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command Lieutenant General RP Kalita and other senior officers of the Indian Army accompanied the Raksha Mantri who also interacted with the troops posted in the area.
After his visit to the forward areas, the Raksha Mantri held an interaction with Armed Forces personnel in Tezpur, Assam. In his address, he commended the dedication and sacrifice of the soldiers posted at the borders, bravely protecting the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country.
Shri Rajnath Singh termed the Armed Forces as the very reason behind the strength and confidence of the Nation. He said, strengthening India’s military prowess has been the Government’s top priority ever since it came to power since 2014, with focus on equipping the Services with state-of-the-art weapons/equipment through an ‘Aatmanirbhar’ defence industry.
The Raksha Mantri appreciated the fact that the Government’s efforts have resulted in making a strong military which is fully capable of protecting the Nation from all kinds of threats. He lauded the Armed Forces for instilling a sense of national pride and patriotism among the people, especially the youth, by displaying their strength and courage from time to time.
Shri Rajnath Singh pointed out that India’s international image has completely been transformed due to the bold decisions taken by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as well as the gallant deeds of the Armed Forces. “There was a time when India wasn’t taken seriously on international platforms. Due to the efforts of our Prime Minister, today we have become an assertor from a mere observer. Indian military is respected all over the globe. Our friendly foreign countries have trust in them. It is one of the major reasons India has emerged as a powerful nation. Today, we are the fifth largest economy in the world, strongly moving forward,” he said.
As part of the day’s engagements, the Raksha Mantri also interacted with the members of second religious expedition to Athu Popu, an annual trek of local Idu Mishmi tribe which is being facilitated by Indian Army since 2021 as part of outreach and continued efforts towards supporting the locals & development of tourism.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah says 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations led by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji at the UN Headquarters in New York City is a landmark day for India
World witnessed the power of India's culture as PM Shri Narendra Modi ji practised Yoga at the UN HQs on Yoga Day today
Modi Ji not just promoted Yoga on a global platform but reclaimed India's glory by gifting a new worldview of unity
In a remarkable achievement, Yoga enthusiasts from different parts of the world created a Guinness World Record at UN Headquarters today for the highest number of nationalities practising Yoga together
The feat achieved in the presence of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji is a perfect ode to Yoga and the spirit of India's inclusively
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah has said that 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations led by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji at the UN Headquarters in New York City is a landmark day for India.
In his tweets Shri Amit Shah said that “The world witnessed the power of India's culture as PM Shri Narendra Modi ji practised Yoga at the UN HQs on Yoga Day today.Modi Ji not just promoted Yoga on a global platform but reclaimed India's glory by gifting a new worldview of unity”.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that “In a remarkable achievement, Yoga enthusiasts from different parts of the world created a Guinness World Record at UN Headquarters today for the highest number of nationalities practising Yoga together. The feat achieved in the presence of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji is a perfect ode to Yoga and the spirit of India's inclusively”.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
United Nations Declares Invest India The Winner of the Investment Promotion Award 2020
The United Nations  has declared Invest India- the National Investment Promotion Agency of India- as a winner of the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award. The award ceremony took place on 7th December 2020 at UNCTAD Headquarters in Geneva.
The award recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements and best practices ofInvestment Promotion Agencies  across the globe. The evaluation was based on UNCTAD’s assessment of work undertaken by 180 Investment Promotion Agencies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous challenges for Investment Promotion Agencies forcing them to shift focus from routine investment promotion and facilitation towards crisis management, notification of government emergency and economic relief measures, provision of crisis support services, and contribution to national COVID-19 business response efforts. All this was being done while agencies had closed offices, moved functions online and asked staff to work from home. In March 2020, UNCTAD constituted a team to monitor the response of IPAs to the pandemic. UNCTAD reported best practices from Investment Promotion Agencies in the IPA Observer publications in April and July 2020. The response of IPAs to the pandemic became the basis for the evaluation of the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award.
UNCTAD highlighted good practices followed by Invest India,such as theBusiness Immunity Platform, Exclusive Investment Forum webinar series, its social media engagement and focus COVID response teams  created as a response to the pandemic, in its publications. Invest India has also shared long-term strategies and practices being followed for investment promotion, facilitation and retention at UNCTAD’s high-level brainstorming sessions.
This United Nations Investment Promotion Award is the most coveted award for Investment Promotion Agencies. UNCTAD is acentral agency that monitors performance of IPAs and identifies global best practices. Germany, South Korea and Singapore have been some of the past winners of the award.
Mr. Deepak Bagla, MD & CEO, Invest India said, “The award is a testament to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of making India a preferred investment destination. It bears testimony to his focus on Ease of Living, Ease of Doing Business and creating an Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Sarada Math president Pravrajika Bhaktiprana Mataji on her demise
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Sarada Math president Pravrajika Bhaktiprana Mataji on her demise.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"I pay my tributes to Pravrajika Bhaktiprana Mataji. She will always be remembered for her rich efforts to serve society through the Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission. My thoughts are with all members of the Order and devotees. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Facts on the controversy around prices of Rapid Antibody tests
First of all, it is important to understand the background in which procurement decisions are made by ICMR. Testing is one of the most crucial weapons to fight COVID-19 and ICMR is doing everything it can to ramp up testing. This requires procurement of kits and supplying them to states. This procurement is being undertaken when globally there is huge demand for these test kits and various countries are applying their full might, monetary and diplomatic, to acquire them.
ICMR’S first attempt to procure these kits did not elicit any response from the suppliers. Its second attempt got adequate responses. Of these responses, taking sensitivity and specificity in mind, kits of 2 companies  were identified for procurement. Both had the requisite international certifications.
For Wondfo, evaluation committee got 4 bids and the corresponding quotes received were Rs. 1,204, Rs. 1,200, Rs. 844 and Rs. 600. Accordingly, bid offer of Rs. 600 was considered as L-1.
In the meanwhile, ICMR also tried to procure the kits directly from Wondfo company in China through CGI. However, quotation received from direct procurement had the following issues:
-
- Quotation was FOB  without any commitment on logistics issues.
- The quotation was on the basis of 100% direct advance without any guarantees.
- There was no commitment on timelines.
- Rates were communicated in US dollars without any clause for accounting for fluctuations in prices.
Hence, it was decided to go Wondfo’s exclusive distributor for India for the kit who quoted an all inclusive price for FOB  without any clause for advance.
It needs to be also remembered that this was the first ever effort by any Indian agency to procure such kits and the rate quoted by the bidders was the only reference point.
After receipt of some supplies, ICMR has again conducted quality checks on these kits in field conditions. Based on scientific assessment of their performance, the order in question  along with order in respect of another make found under-performing have been cancelled.
It needs to be stressed that ICMR has not made any payment whatsoever in respect of these supplies. Because of the due process followed , GoI does not stand to lose a single rupee.